The holiday season is upon us. Even though it is the most wonderful time of the year, the holiday season can be a very stressful time for many. Besides gathering the whole family together, cooking a feast, and buying presents, the end of the year tends to be a busier time in all areas of our lives. 

It is the time of year where we push ourselves to finish up our current projects at work before the new year starts. We also prioritize spending time with our loved ones and actively make an effort to enjoy some one-on-one time with our partners and children or attend social gatherings with our friends. With the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the holiday season this year might feel extra stressful. 2020 has been a hard one for many and there is still a lot of uncertainty about the future, which has many people struggling mentally, emotionally, physically and financially. 

Even though there is stress in the air, it is still possible to enjoy the holidays. The key to having a more peaceful and relaxed holiday season is self-care. When we take the time to take care of ourselves we allow ourselves to be able to create more of a balance in our lives no matter what circumstance we are facing. Here are some self-care ideas that you can try this holiday season to help you eliminate any stress and thrive. 

5 Holiday Self-care Ideas 

1. Create A Morning And Evening Routine

Having a morning and evening routine has become a wonderful trend that many have embraced. One easy way to be able to make time for self-care during the holidays is to give yourself time to enjoy a morning and evening routine filled with activities that make you feel good. Before the kids get up or after they go to bed make time to do activities that inspire you and improve your mental and physical health. What you choose to add to your morning routine is up to you - you can do some yoga, meditate, read, take a walk, make a cup of coffee and drink it while visualizing the success you want in 2021, do your nails etc. Here is a great guide to help you create your own morning or evening routine. 

     2. Incorporate Elements of Hygge

Did you know that Denmark is rated one of the happiest countries in the world? The word hygge is the Danish word that describes the mood that is associated with coziness and being comfortable which leads to feeling well and content. Danes promote happiness throughout the year by incorporating activities into their everyday lives that make them feel hygge. During the holidays some hygge activities that Danes do are: 

• Decorating with simplicity in mind 
• Baking 
• Enjoying glogg (Scandinavia’s version of mulled wine)
• Embrace comfy clothing 
• Lighting candles and the fireplace
• Bringing out extra pillows, blankets and throws to make the area cozier 
• Enjoy some fresh, winter air 
• Relax with loved ones 

If you are having a moment during the holidays where you start to feel overwhelmed, sad or frustrated, take a time out and enjoy some hygge. Light some candles, put on warm sweaters and cozy socks, eat fresh pastries, cuddle with your loved ones by the fire and embrace a cozier lifestyle. If you are looking for more hygge inspiration, check out The Little Book Of Hygge. 

    3. Embrace Holiday Traditions That Make You Happy 

One of the best parts about self-care is that there is no right or wrong way of doing it. Self-care will always look different to each person because different things make us feel happy and cared for. This holiday season forget about what you should or need to do and make time for the holiday traditions that truly make you happy. Do you love decorating gingerbread houses? Make a gingerbread house and decorate it with your family. Do you hate making a full ham dinner every year? No, problem - make something else. So many times we do the same things every year because we feel like you have to, and we forget that we have options. This holiday season embrace the holiday traditions that make you smile and forget about the ones that don’t. 

   4. Rest During The Holidays 

One of the easiest and oftentimes overlooked forms of self-care is rest. We need rest, especially after a year like 2020. In between the hustle of the holidays make time to do nothing. Take a nap, sleep in, and/or spend the day watching cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies. Take time to give your body and mind the rest that they need. 

     5. Embrace Your Playful Side

If this year has been super hard for you, make time to play this holiday season. Whether you go out with the kids and make a snowman, dust off your favourite childhood board games, or dance around your kitchen to Jingle Bell Rock, make time to do activities that make you feel young, alive and free. 

The holidays can be stressful and this year is not like any holiday season we have ever had before. Help yourself and your loved ones have the best holiday you can have by being intentional with self-care and adding the above activities into your holiday plans. By taking care of yourself you are setting yourself up to have a holly, jolly Christmas.